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17 Farmers Awarded at Awudome Kwanta District Farmers’ Day Celebration
Seventeen farmers in the Ho West District of the Volta Region were awarded yesterday during this year’s District Farmers’ Day celebration held at Awudome Kwanta. Topping the list as the district’s best farmer was Gershon Aggor, a 51-year-old farmer from Awudome Kwanta, who took home a motorbike, sprayer, boots, and a certificate.
The first and second runner-ups, Mr. Wonder Sedoameda and Raphael Avunyra, were each awarded motorbikes, sprayers, and certificates. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
The Ho West District Chief Executive, Francis Dufe, in his speech, noted that the government had recognised the crucial role farmers and fishermen play in boosting food security in domestic production. He stressed the need for the youth to join aged farmers in growing more food to feed the nation. In view of this, government is determined to provide the necessary incentives and support to enable farmers to increase their output.
The DCE also acknowledged the numerous challenges facing farmers and assured them that the government would soon announce the construction of Farmers Service Centres, which would be equipped with agricultural tools and equipment. He expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah, for donating three motorbikes.
Mr. Seth Asuo, Ho West District Agric Director, commended the award winners and sponsors and assured them that farm inputs would be made available at all times to increase yields. In his welcome address, Togbe Adzima Buasapa X, chief of Awudome Kwanta, noted that farming has long been the mainstay of the local economy. However, climate change has led to unstable and unpredictable rainfall. He advised the youth to take up farming as a profession, emphasizing that it has become a profitable venture.
By Kafui Gati, Awudome Kwanta
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AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
